Opening a new Integrated School.
When a group of parents cannot access Integrated provision in their area, NICIE can support them to work through the process of opening a new school. This is normally commenced with one or more public meetings to gauge the interest in the project.
Once the group has formed, their first actions will include writing to schools in the area to see if they would consider Transforming to Integrated status. Only if no school engages and decides to transform will the group proceed to set up a new school with NICIE officers’ support.
The group will engage in awareness raising activities such as attending public events, delivering leaflets and using websites and social media. The demand for Integrated Education will be measured by over-subscription in nearby schools and the completion of Expression of Interest forms.
When it is judged that demand is sufficient to meet the Department of Education’s sustainability criteria (which can be viewed at this link https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/establishing-integrated-school#skip-link) then NICIE will support the group to write a Case for Change to submit to the Education Authority and ultimately the Department for a Ministerial decision.
If approved NICIE will support the group in all the tasks needed to open the new school.
